Lisa Maxwell joins EastEnders

Lisa Maxwell has joined the cast of 'EastEnders' as Naomi, the girlfriend of Michael French's womanising character David Wicks

Lisa Maxwell has joined 'EastEnders'.

The 'Loose Women' panellist - who played Detective Inspector Sam Nixon in police drama 'The Bill' for seven years - is to star as Naomi, the girlfriend of Michael French's womanising character David Wicks, in one episode of the BBC One soap next month.

The 49-year-old star said: "I've had a fantastic time filming at 'EastEnders' and working with the wonderful Michael, Lindsey [Coulson (Carol Jackson)] and Nitin [Ganatra (Masood Ahmed)] has been an absolute joy. I can honestly say it's one of the happiest jobs I've done, Michael French is an amazing actor and to be part of such an iconic character's return to the Square felt very special."

Michael - who departed the soap 17 years ago - will make an explosive return to Albert Square before his past quickly catches up with him.

The 50-year-old actor made a two-week appearance in 'EastEnders' last year when his on-screen mother Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) was dying of cancer.

Since leaving 'The Bill' in 2009, Lisa has been a regular 'Loose Women' panellist and appeared in '71 Degrees North' in 2011 alongside former 'EastEnders' stars Martin Kemp, Brooke Kinsella and Sean Maguire.